Parent education programs are served to help parents improve their parenting knowledge, skills and behaviors with an ultimate aim of contributing to well being of children. Based on different parenting topics, methods and format, a number of parent education programs have been developed so far. Several evaluations with regard to parent education programs have indicated that they may make difference in the development and education of children (Becher, 1984; Brim, 1957; Owen & Mulvihill, 1994; Johnson, Jiang & Yoon, 2000). However, despite its promising consequences, low attendance of parents to parent education programs have been a major concern (Zepeda, Varela, & Morales, 2004). It was discussed that for any parent education program to be effective, it is required that they are designed based on the needs of parents (DeBord, et al, 1997; Heath, 1987; Jacobson & Engelbrecht, 2000). As parents are diverse, their needs and preferences are diverse. A needs assessment study for parent education programs become, therefore, the first step to generally measure the parental interest and preferences in information topics; problems related to parenthood; values regarding child rearing and use of various sources of support (Gowen et al., 1993). Purpose of this study is then considering afore mentioned points is to conduct a needs assessment study in order to identify educational needs of parents of young children in a public school ultimately to develop an effective parent education curriculum for them under the umbrella of family involvement activities. Results of this study are assumed to help the school administration concerned to hear the voice of the parents concerning parent education programs so that their needs will be met as service receivers. Following research questions are to be investigated throughout the study: 1. What are the needs of parents regarding content of the program? 2. What are the needs of parents regarding method of the program? 3. What are the needs of parents regarding schedule of the program?

Johnson, D. L., Jiang, Y. H., & Yoon, R. M. (2000). Families in the school: How did a parent education program change parent behaviors related to school student achievement(Report No. TM010830)? New Orleans: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of American Research Association. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED441012) Owen, M. T., & Mulvihill, B. A. (1994). Benefits of a parent education and support program in the first three years. Family Relations, 43(2), 206-212. Powell, D. R. (1990). Parent education and support programs. (Report No. 19900000). Urbana: ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED320261) Wood, W. D., & Baker, J. A. (1999). Preferences for parent education programs among low socioeconomıc status, culturally diverse parents. Psychology in the Schools, 36(3), 239-247. Zepeda M, Varela F, Morales A. (2004). Promoting positive parenting practices through parent education. Building State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Series, No. 13. Halfon N, Rice T, and Inkelas M, eds : National Center for Infant and Early Childhood Health Policy.